A meta-QTL analysis highlights genomic hotspots associated with phosphorus use efficiency in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Phosphorus use efficiency (PUE) is a complex trait, governed by many minor quantitative trait loci (QTLs) with small effects. Advances in molecular marker technology have led to the identification of QTLs underlying PUE. However, their practical breeding programs remains challenging due unstable effects different genetic backgrounds and environments, interaction soil status, linkage drag. Here, we compiled PUE QTL information from 16 independent studies. A total 192 were subjected meta-QTL (MQTL) analysis projected into high-density SNP consensus map. 60 MQTLs, significantly reduced number initial confidence intervals (CI), identified across rice genome. Candidate gene (CG) mining was carried out for 38 MQTLs supported multiple at least two Genes related amino organic acid transport auxin response found be abundant linked CGs cross validated using root transcriptome database (RiceXPro) haplotype analysis. This eight ( OsARF8, OsSPX-MFS3, OsRING141, OsMIOX, HsfC2b, OsFER2, OsWRKY64 , OsYUCCA11 ) modulating Potential donors superior CG haplotypes through The distribution varied among subspecies being mostly indica but largely scarce japonica . Our study offers an insight on networks that modulate rice. CGs, our are useful combination beneficial alleles